Molly's 103rd birthday firmly on RAF's radar

Treat for operator who got air aces home safely in the dark during WW2

- BY GILES SHELDRICK

WARTIME radar heroine Molly Gillon did not see this one coming... a surprise birthday spectacular to celebrate turning 103.

The RAF veteran, who signed up after the death of her airman brother, was given a special salute by serving personnel and veterans at her care home.

Molly, one of 14 children, lost her RAF hero brother Tom Conway during the Second World War when he was shot down and killed aged 23 by enemy aircraft.

As soon as she turned 18 she served at RAF Northstead where she worked underground following radar signals to detect enemy aircraft - and guiding RAF crews safely back to Northumberland after nighttime sorties across Germany.